Rep. Fudge Votes to “Keep Jobs American,” Extend Unemployment, and Provide Youth Summer Jobs
June 6, 2010 by mlfudge
Filed under Education, Featured Articles, Issues
WASHINGTON, DC—Representative Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) voted for the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act (H.R.4213), which passed the US House of Representatives. This wide ranging jobs measure closes tax loopholes for investment bankers and companies outsourcing jobs, without raising the deficit.
“Certain companies have sent jobs overseas from Ohio, and have been rewarded for doing so. I’m proud that this Act stops that practice, and encourages employers to keep their jobs American,” said Rep. Fudge. “This Act rewards the folks making long term investments in our future: Ohio’s schoolteachers, college students, and small businesses.”
She added, “Ohio will receive over $42 million to employ youth in our summer jobs program. As the temperatures go up, so do gas prices and light bills; this presents an opportunity for our young people to help their families make ends meet.”
In Ohio, the bill will:
• Extend unemployment and COBRA benefits through November for 86,100 workers;
• Provide college tuition tax deductions for 153,122 students;
• Reduce taxes for 128,896 school teachers, and
• Allocate $42,118,883 for youth summer jobs in high unemployment areas.
Nationally, the bill will:
• Provide $500 million to restore the credit flow to small business;
• Provide up to 30 million homeowners with property tax relief;
• Extend the R&D Tax Credit to incentivize good jobs here in America and invent the technology that will power the global economy;
• Grant $25 billion in bonds for infrastructure investment in economically distressed areas, and
• Provide funding to pay for the settlement of Pigford case, compensating black farmers who were discriminated against by the USDA.
House Passes Fudge/Granger Resolution to Designate September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
May 31, 2010 by mlfudge
Filed under Featured Articles, Health Care, Issues
WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS –Recognizing the serious threat obesity poses to the health of America’s children, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a resolution designating September 2010 as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Representatives Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) and Kay Granger (TX-12) introduced the measure. The companion resolution, introduced by U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillbrand of New York and George Voinovich of Ohio, unanimously passed the Senate in April.
“Since arriving in Congress, I’ve dedicated myself to helping kids live longer and healthier,” said Congresswoman Fudge. Nearly one in three American children are already overweight or obese. A study conducted by University Hospitals in Cleveland found that the rate in Ohio is even higher, close to 36% for children 10 -17. “Unless we work to reverse this epidemic, these 23 million kids will be in danger of becoming the first generation in American history to have shorter life spans than their parents.”
Congresswoman Fudge says dedicating at least one month per year to the crisis will help maximize the impact of programs, activities and campaigns– all aligned with the sole purpose of eradicating childhood obesity.
Rep. Fudge and her colleagues are pleased that First Lady Michelle Obama has also made childhood obesity one of her top priorities.
“Childhood obesity is a public health crisis”, Rep. Granger said. “Children need information and guidance to make informed decisions about food and exercise. Childhood Obesity Awareness Month supports the goals of families, schools, and communities who are working to ensure we raise a healthier generation. If we keep our kids healthy now it will alleviate a major burden on our health care system while giving millions of young people the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives.”
The financial implications of childhood obesity are overwhelming, at $14 billion per year in direct health care costs. The excess pounds on America’s youth also have national security implications, with an estimated 27% of 17 to 24 year olds too overweight to join the military.
H.R. 996 is a bipartisan resolution supported by over 75 national organizations. “With a strong unity of purpose, we can make a difference” Rep. Fudge stated. “I look forward to parents, health care providers, educators, civic leaders and organizations joining the effort to prevent childhood obesity and promote healthier lifestyles. Nothing can be more important than protecting the health and wellbeing of our children for years to come.”
